10 Last-Minute Casting Changes That Altered Major Movies

The movie business fluctuates to a wild degree. Directors can be replaced, writer after writer after writer can be hired to adjust even the most meager of words, and actors can drop out without hesitation. But while the former positions can usually be chopped and changed without the public knowing too much, the replacement of an actor can have severe repercussions for a movie’s box office potential. In fact, movie fans can often look back on projects now and daydream about what could have been, if only the original casting choices had stayed put.

Which have been the most drastic, though? Well, here are 10 last-minute casting changes that could have severely altered productions, for better and for worse.

Chris Farley, Shrek

Chris Farley was adored by the entire movie community. Unfortunately he succumbed to a drug overdose at the age of 33 in 1997, just when he was on the cusp of becoming a bona-fide star after showcasing his capabilities on the big screen. Because of his rising popularity, he was asked to provide the voice for the character Shrek.

Kevin Farley, Chris’ brother, told Yahoo that his version "was a little bit more like Chris, like a humble, bumbling innocent guy." In the end though, Farley’s death meant that the character’s voice had to be re-recorded by his Saturday Night Live colleague Mike Myers, and the rest is history.